Eucharist as a Sacrament Parent Retreat Class December
What is a Sacrament? An outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. -Baltimore Catechism
What is Grace? The life of God in us
Sacraments of Initiation Baptism Confirmation Eucharist
Sacraments of Healing Reconciliation Anointing of the Sick
Sacraments of Vocation Matrimony Holy Orders
Sacraments must have Matter and Form Matter: the material sign of the sacrament Form: the words that accompany the matter
Click here to play movie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbgxnlzweam The Seven Sacraments
Eucharist The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." 136 "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch. (CCC 1324) (also called the heart and summit CCC 1407)
Eucharist We must consider the Eucharist as: -thanksgiving and praise to the Father; -the sacrificial memorial of Christ and his Body; -the presence of Christ by the power of his word and of his Spirit. (CCL 1358 )
Eucharist Body Blood Soul Divinity of our Lord, Jesus Christ
The fruits of Holy Communion 1391 Holy Communion augments our union with Christ. 1393 Holy Communion separates us from sin. 1395 By the same charity that it enkindles in us, the Eucharist preserves us from future mortal sins. 1396 The unity of the Mystical Body: the Eucharist makes the Church. 1397 The Eucharist commits us to the poor.
Source of Charity The Eucharist is the source of charity. As Pope John Paul II wrote: "Christian life is expressed in the fulfilling of the greatest commandment, that is to say, in the love of God and neighbor, and this love finds its source in the blessed Sacrament, which is commonly called the sacrament of love. The Eucharist signifies this charity, and therefore recalls it, makes it present and at the same time brings it about" (Dominicae Cenae, no. 5).
A Saintly Example-St. Pope John Paul II "Rabbi, where are you staying?" Each day the Church responds: Christ is present in the Eucharist, in the sacrament of His death and resurrection. In and through the Eucharist, you acknowledge the dwelling-place of the Living God in human history. For the Eucharist is the Sacrament of the Love which conquers death. It is the Sacrament of the Covenant, pure Gift of Love for the reconciliation of all humanity. It is the gift of the Real Presence of Jesus The Redeemer, in the bread which is His Body given up for us, in the wine which is His Blood poured out for all. Thanks to the Eucharist, constantly renewed among all peoples of the world, Christ continues to build His church: He brings us together in praise and thanksgiving for salvation, in the communion which only infinite love can forge. Our worldwide gathering now takes on its fullest meaning, through the celebration of the Mass. Dear young friends, may your presence here mean a true commitment in faith! For Christ is now answering your own question and the questions of all those who seek the Living God. He answers by offering an invitation: This is My Body, take It and eat. To the Father He entrusts His supreme desire: that all those whom He loves may be one in the same communion. (World Youth Day homily on Sunday, August 24, 1997 Paris, France)
Adoration Pope Benedict XVI: Whenever possible, it would be appropriate, especially in densely populated areas, to set aside specific churches or oratories for perpetual adoration, he adds, I also recommend that, in their catechetical training, and especially in their preparation for First Holy Communion, children be taught the meaning and the beauty of spending time with Jesus, and helped to cultivate a sense of awe before his presence in the Eucharist. Sacrament of Charity March 13th, 2007
Adoration Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the "King of Glory," respectful silence in the presence of the "ever greater" God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications. (CCC 2628)
A Saintly Example-St. Damien of Moloka i Were it not for the constant presence of our divine Master in our humble chapel, I would not have found it possible to persevere in sharing the lot of the afflicted in Moloka i The Eucharist is the bread that gives strength It is at once the most eloquent proof of His love and the most powerful means of fostering His love in us. He gives Himself every day so that our hearts as burning coals may set afire the hearts of the faithful.
A Saintly Example-St. Pope John Paul II Pope John Paul II said, It is for me a motive of special joy to prostrate myself with you before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, in an act of humble and fervent adoration, of praise to the merciful God, of thanksgiving to the Giver of all that is good, of supplication to Him Who is always alive to intercede for us. (45th IEC, Seville, Spain, June 1993)
A Saintly Example-St. Pope John Paul II It is there in His Eucharist that He says to me: "I thirst, thirst for your love, your sacrifices, your sufferings. I thirst for your happiness, for it was to save you that I came into the world, that I suffered and died on the Cross, and in order to console and strengthen you I left you the Eucharist. So you have there all My life, all My tenderness."mother Mary of Jesus, foundress of the Sisters of Marie Reparatrice
A Saintly Example-St. Therese of Liseux "Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you - for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart...don't listen to the demon, laugh at him, and go without fear to receive the Jesus of peace and love... "The guest of our soul knows our misery; He comes to find an empty tent within us - that is all He asks."st. Therese of Lisieux
Click here to play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t281ll_6e44 movie How Beautiful
Exercises Take your family to Adoration for 10-15 minutes (or more) during January Bring an idea to share about connecting children to Mass